The top United Nations human rights official urged Turkey on Tuesday to uphold the rule of law in the wake of the failed coup and voiced “serious alarm” at the mass suspension of judges and prosecutors.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein also called for independent observers to be able to visit places of detention in Turkey to check on conditions, and for detainees to have access to lawyers and their families.

“I urge the Government of Turkey to respond by upholding the rule of law, by strengthening the protection of human rights and by reinforcing democratic institutions,” Zeid said in a statement.

Image: UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson (right) meets with with Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during opening day of the thirty-second session of the Human Right Council. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré.